On any good day in the Andaman Sea, the ocean’s turquoise and emerald hues have the most surreal effect on your senses.   It had the ability to conjure up images of magazine covers and island getaways and as the boat putters around the first of the limestone outcrops that seemed to be suspended above the water’s surface.
- Phi Phi IslandMikeBehnken / Foter.com / CC BY-ND
Unbelievably enough the water really is that colour, but I later discovered that once just below its surface, it proves transparent with crystal clear visibility.  Once on the tiny slither of land that is Phi Phi, we signed up for an island-hopping day tour.  We left early in the morning on a boat smaller than the public ferries but slightly bigger than a speed boat.  My friend and I smeared sunscreen all over our bodies and caught the ocean breeze on the front of the boat whilst Thailand’s blue, red and white flag flickered wildly.
First on the itinerary was a visit to the beach featured in the movie ‘The Beach’. Now we could see it with our own eyes or at least parts of it not obscured by big tour boats, long tail boats claiming positions on the sand and kayaks moving closer to the shore. There was hardly any beach as such for whatever little portions of sand were available, were occupied by excited tourists soon after (much like we experience on Cape Town’s beaches during the holiday season).  The bay was enclosed by mountains of limestone which seemed to have formed just to protect this beach and its enthralling beauty. Our guide said we had the option of swimming or kayaking to the shore. Before we knew it all the kayaks were taken. So either I attempted to the swim the distance (which I assure you was not as close as it appeared) or stay on the boat.
The latter was too inconceivably boring to imagine so I jumped in the ocean after my strong swimming buddy who thankfully had lifesaving experience and could surely save me should I begin to sink. The further we swam, the farther the beach seemed and I couldn’t ignore that my arms, legs and lungs were feeling fatigued.  I chided myself for not just floating along in a life jacket and prayed that no shark would emerge from the depths as per the beach movie script. As I staggered onto the beach I couldn’t possibly fathom the thought of swimming back. I was hardly seated on a log before I noticed people from our boat kayaking back. Turns out we were the only idiots who had swam out there and yes, I did have to swim back. I’m not exactly sure how I kept afloat but the boat had been waiting for us and I just managed to flop on board relieved to breathe another day.
Next up was Bamboo Island where the boat anchored and allowed everyone to snorkel. The island looked like it was made up of a beach and thousands of trees which covered all but the coastline. Sadly I had taken ill with sea sickness and lay down with nausea whilst my friend dove into the almost neon aqua-marine ocean. With the help of a pill, it soon passed and I could be conscience for our final stop of the day.
The depth of the day’s intense heat had been expended leaving behind welcoming warmth without the burn of the sun.  We had stopped just short of Monkey Island. We floated in the translucency of this lukewarm water and watched the monkey’s cracking coconuts in the shade of the trees.   We snorkelled just around the boat and when someone threw bread into the water, bright green and black fish made their way to the surface fighting for their crumb.
The guide noticed a pod of dolphins nearby and made the loudest noise banging the side of the boat. It was a sound that seemed to call to them and about four dolphins matched the speed of the boat and swam alongside us. They jumped excitedly in and out of the water exuding such playfulness and freedom. The entire day had blurred into one blissful moment but this was the moment I treasured the most as we headed back to Phi Phi.
About the Author: Lauren Manuel is a travel journalist currently on a years working holiday in Asia from where she writes for the Cape Town hotels site, SA-Venues.com. When not travelling, Lauren and her husband enjoy relaxing with friends at their home in Cape Town.
